How to Make a Paper Flower Backdrop: Part 1, Basic Flowers

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It's easy! Inexpensive (about $15)! And really gorgeous, of course. I'm going to break this down into several posts. Not because it's complicated, but because I made quite a few different types of paper flowers. It's too much to cram into one post.

I was inspired by Chanel's 2009 spring runway show, and the absolutely striking paper flower backdrop. To make your very own, you only need a very few simple materials.

You'll also need scissors and a low temperature glue gun. (I ALWAYS use a low temp glue gun, because I ALWAYS glue myself!)

Let's get started!

How to Make A Basic Giant Paper Flower
This is a sort of generic any-flower. I wasn't trying to replicate anything in real life. I'm talking about the flower on the backdrop that looks like this:

First cut three or so circles of paper in graduated sizes.

Then cut them into petal shapes. Four petals, five petals, six petals, it doesn't really matter.

Simply use a dab of hot glue to nest the petals together. Curl the petals inward slightly, if desired.

Make a simple center by cutting a narrow strip of paper, cutting it into a fringe, and rolling it up.

Glue that in the middle of your flower, and you're done!

How to Make a Pom Paper Flower
You'll notice some similarities in technique here, but you end up with a dramatically different effect. I'm talking about the ones that look like this:

First, cut two or three graduated circles of paper. Then cut the circles into a fringe. Cut almost, but not quite all the way tothecenter.

Then, simply stack the fringed circles, starting with the largest on the bottom, and glue together with a hot glue gun. Finally, pinch the flower from the back. Just scrunch it. Don't worry about not doing it right--I promise it will work.

Ta-da! Pom flower.

I want to make one very important comment about these flowers. Don't worry about perfection! Go back and look at my photos. Notice how wonky the circles are, how the petals are nowhere near symmetrical. It's ok! This is not about the perfection of a single flower, but rather about the power of a mass of them. Nobody will notice those imperfections, I swear, and that's the key to making this an easy project. If you obsess about getting everything just right, you'll drive yourself insane.

Tomorrow on the blog: learn how to make more types of giant paper flowers! And then we'll put it all together on the backdrop.